5 Simple Steps to Cellulite-Free Skin

Zap fat with cardio, and chances are, you'll lessen the look of cellulite. But the real exercise secret lies in one magic move: the lunge. You don't have to try it, unless, that is, you want firmer thighs.

Why it works: The lunge is one of your best weapons against cellulite, because it builds lean muscle in your butt and thighs, two cellulite-prone zones. Think of your leg as a legal pad: The paper is your fat, and the cardboard back is your muscle, says Wayne Westcott, Ph.D., coauthor of No More Cellulite and research director at Quincy College in Massachusetts. If the cardboard is flimsy or missing altogether, the paper flops about, bulging inward and outward (as cellulite does); but if the cardboard is sturdy, the paper stays smooth.

To maximize the lunge's dimple-diminishing capabilities, watch your form: Never let your knees creep past your toes, and be sure to press the heel of your front foot into the floor and squeeze your glutes throughout, says Liz DiAlto, a fitness coach in New York City. Her routine: Do three sets of 12 to 20 reps of lunges on each leg, three or four times a week. In as little as one month, you'll see improvement.